Expansible cylinder for rotary printing press



Jan. 19, 1965 D. R. WYLLIE ETAL 3,166,013

EXPANSIBLE CYLINDER FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed Dec. 15, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l nuu g miii! "UP :2 a F\&. 2

INVENTORS DONALD R. WYLLm. By EVERETT E KELLOGG Jan. 19, 1965 D. R. WYLLIE ETAL 3,

EXPANSIBLE CYLINDER FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESS Filed Dec. 15, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FuaQE:

Flak '7 INVENTQR-fi Donna R. 'WYLua By Evans-1' E KBLLOGG 3,166,013 Patented J an. 19, 1965 United States Patent Ofi ice This invention relates to an expansible cylinder adapted for use in printing presses, and more particularly, to a cylinder constructed for expansion of its peripheral surface by internal fluid pressure.

Printing cylinders are widely used for reproducing images in various printing processes. The printing cylinders commonly include a base cylinder and a tubular printing plate secured thereon. After each printing, the printing plate is removed from the base cylinder and replaced by another plate. The plate changing operation is time-consuming and necessitates stopping the press. Consequently, there is a need for a printing cylinder which will reduce the plate changing and positioning time and the press down time to a minimum.

It is therefore one important object of the. present invention to provide a printing cylinder for rotary type presses which reduces .to a minimum the time required for changing printing plates and the press down time.

A particular object is to provide a printing cylinder which includes an expansible base cylinder and a tubular printing plate secured on the base cylinder by expansion thereof.

Another object of theinvention is .to provide an expansible cylinder which finds other important applications in printing presses, slitters, and other paper con verting equipment, in particular, where a cylinder having a variable circumference may be used to advantage.

A more particular object is to provide an expansible cylinder adapted for controlling web feed rates and tensions in paper converting equipment.

Expansible' cylinders have been employed in printing presses prior to the present invention. However, they have been limited in their application. In particular, close tolerance expansion and rigidity of the cylinders are difficult of achievement.

Further important objects of the invention therefore include the provision of an expansible cylinder which maintains Very accurate concentricity during expansion, and when expanded, has the high degree of rigidity necessary for carrying a printing plate and for withstanding web tensions.

Another object is to provide an expansible cylinder which is useful in relief or letterpress, planographic or offset, and intaglio or gravure printing processes.

An additional object is to provide an expansible cylinder which is simple in construction and operation, trouble-free, and has a long useful life.

These and other objects, advantages and functions of the invention will be apparent on reference to the specification and to the attached drawings, in which like parts are identified by like reference symbols in each of the views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partly in section of a preferred embodiment of .the expansible cylinder;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of one end thereof;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken at the opposite end of the cylinder;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the use of the cylinder in a dry offset printing deck;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the use of the cylinder as a web in-feed drum; and p FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational View of the cyl- I inder as it is employed in the application of FIG. 6.

The expansible cylinder of the invention includes a cylinder body or core, and a tubular shell on the peripheral surface of the body. Fluid flow channels are provided on the peripheral surface of the body, and they communicate with the inner surface of the shell. Means are provided for supplying fluid under pressure to the channels to expand the shell by fluid pressure acting on its inner surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the expansible cylinder constitutes the base cylinder in a printing cylinder for rotary type presses. A tubular printing plate is disposed on the peripheral surface of the base cylinder, and the cylinder is expanded to secure the plate thereon. Printing plates are changed by contracting the base cylinder, removing the printing plate thereon, and substituting another printing plate.

In another advantageous application, the expansible cylinder serves as a variable in-feed cylinder or drum for controlling the amount of web metered into paper con-' verting equipment. In this case, the surface of the cylinder preferably is knurled. In another and similar application, the expansible cylinder is employed in place of an oversize cylinder for controlling web tension in paper converting apparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 14 of the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the expansible cylinder is generally indicated by the number 10. It includes a solid'cylindrical body or core 12 and a cylindrical tubular shell 14 on the peripheral surface 16 of the body. A pair of axial shafts 18 and 20 are integral with the cylinder body 12 at opposite ends thereof.

The peripheral surface 16 of the body is grooved to provide a plurality of circular fluid flow channels 22 lying in planes normal to the axis of the body. The channels are disposed in equidistantly spaced parallel relation, and the terminal channels are spaced inwardly from the respective ends of the body a distance preferably about onehalf the distance between successive channels.

The peripheral surface 16 is also grooved to provide a plurality of longitudinalor axially extending channels 24 which intersect the circumferential channels 22. Four longitudinal channels are provided in equidistantly spaced.

parallel relation, at angles of about the axis of the cylindrical body 12. The circumferential channels 22 and the longitudinal channels 24 are in open communication with the inner surface 26 of the shell 14.

Two longitudinal bores 28 and 30 extend inwardly from one end of the cylinder body 12, and they are disposed between the shaft 18 and the peripheral surface 16, at angles of to each other. The longitudinal bores extend to the mid-point of a terminal circumferential channel 22, as viewed in projection in FIG. 2, The respective longitudinal bores 28 and 30 communicate with transverse bores 32 and 34 which extend to the terminal circumferential groove 22. The longitudinal and transverse bores in the body 12 thus provide conduits or fluid passages communicating with the circumferential sure oil check valve 49 (Zerk fitting) is mounted on thebody in the inlet opening 38. A conventional bleed valve 42 is mounted in the outlet opening 36. At the .opposite end of the body, two bleed valves 42 are mounted at 180 to each other, as illustrated for one of them less steel welds 44 are provided.

in .FIG. 4. In each case, the construction is the same asfor the bleed valve 42 illustrated in'FIG. 2.

The tubular shell 14 fits tightly on the peripheral' surface 16 of the cylinder body 12, with aninterference or si ze-on-size fit between the body andthe shell. The opposite edges of the shell are secured to the respective op-Q posite ends of the body by welds 44providing fluid- V tight junctions therebe'tween. By this construction,- the shell 14 initially is in intimate "contact with the pc- Y .may' be 15 inches in length and'4.75 inches in outside diameter. 'The shell14- may have a thickness of 0.1

inch. The channels 22 and 24 may be ;-inch.wide

and 0.01. inch deep. The expansib le cylinder thus constructed is designed for 0.006 inch expansion or increase in diameter. a

The expansible cylinder 10 preferably is supplied with high pressure hydraulic fluid such as oil, at a pressure up to 10,000 pounds per square inch. The fluid is supplied to the check valve 40 by a hydraulic pump (not shown). When the desired expansion is obtained, the

check valve maintains the fluid under pressure within the cylinder. The bleed valves 42 serve for removing air when the hydraulic fluid is introduced, and subsequently are employed for releasing the fluid pressure and evacuata ing the fluid- The construction of the cylinder 10 is'very important for achieving the objects of the invention. Hydraulic fluid is suppliedthrough the check valve 46 and thelongitudinal and transverse bores 30 and 34 to the channels 22 and 24, filling the channels. As the pressure increases, 7

a wedging action of the fluid is achieved, with the fluid being forced between the initially contacting peripheral surface 16 on the body and inner surface 26 on the shell. Theshell isexpanded by thefluidpressure acting on its inner surface, to but a very small degree which yet is sufficient to perform the desired functions. Close tolerance expansion is achieved to provide very'accurate concentricity, so that very even impression pressures are produced with the printing cylinders, employing accurate printing plates on the expansible cylinder 10. The ex;

pansible cylinder has the high rigidity necessary for printing and in other applications.

FIG. 5 illustrates the application of the expansible cylinder. to dry offset printing. A printing cylinder 46 is assembled in a conventional printing deck witha rubber blanket cylinder 48 and an impression cylinder 50. A paper web 52 is conducted between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder.

v The printing cylinder 46 includes the expansible cylinder 10, composed of the cylinder body 12 and the shell 14, and a cylindrical tubular dry offset printing plate or sleeve 54. The expansible cylinder 10 is sized to have an initialoutside diameter up to approximately 0.003

inch less than the inside diameter of the printing plate 54, for a free fit. The printing plate may be one of the conventional plates, constructed for example of mag nesium or of preset rubber, depending upon the par ticular application. Alternatively, it may be dcsirabl to employ a smooth plate 54 which is adapted for mountexpansible cylinder 10, and hydraulic fluid is supplied through the check valve 40 to expand the cylinder 10 until its peripheral surface 56, i.e., the outer surface of e the shell 14, engages the inner surface of the printing plate 54 to provide a tightrigid fit.

inder 46' is then-employed for a printing operation, as exemplified in FIG. 5. j Thereafter, the fluid pressure is released by opening one or more of the bleed valves 42. The printing plate 54' is quickly removed and replaced by another plate, and the cylinder 10is once more .ex-

panded to secure the plate thereon. Printing plates may be made ready and pre-positioned to minimize the pla changing and down time.

In like manner, the expansible cylinder 10 may be employed for mounting printing plates in various letter-1 press, offset, and gravure printing processes. The cylinder may be constructed in appropriate sizes for the several applicationsywith'the components thereof sized and proportioned accordingly. The axial shafts-18 and 20 are suitably connectedto the body 12 for rotatably mount- 7 ing the cylinder in the particular press.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the application of a similar expansible cylinder 10' as an in-feed drum for Web feed control. In this application, the outer surface of' the shell 14' is finely knurled, as represented in FIG. 7, for engaging the paper web58. The web wrap around the cylinder circumference is approximately 300, and the web passes between and around idler rollers 60 and 62. The cylinder 10' is variably expansible, according to the fluid pressure therein, and its expansion is adjusted to provide a selected circumference and thus a selected web linear-feed rate. a a

The feed cylinder 10' is suitably driven by gear means connected to the shaft 18'. The cylinder functions as an accurate metering device, and it may be operated without a coacting pressure roll. a

. In a similar application, the expansible cylinder 10 supplies the need for a variable circumference web tension control cylinder or drum. It is necessary to control the web tension throughout the machine in running paper webs through presses, slitters and other paper converting machines. Ithas been the practice to construct some cylinders such as anvil cylinders slightly oversize in circumference, and rely upon the slippingtendency of the Web on the cylinder to maintain the proper tension. It is most diflicult to operate webs of various widths and thicknesses with a single oversize circumference, since the proper tension for a wide web of heavier paper is too great fora narrower web of thinner paper.

By providing the expansible cylinder 10 of the invention in suitable locations in the paper converting machines,

the amount of slipping may be varied by varying the circumference of the cylinder. Again, the circumference is adjusted by adjusting the hydraulic pressure in the a cylinder and thus the expansion of the outer. shell 14. The tension of various types of paper webs may be controlledin this manner prior to the rewinding or folding. mechanisms. 7

The invention thus provides an expansible cylinder which. when expanded has the rigidity and high degree of accuracy necessary for very even impression pressures and for carrying printing cylinder and web tensions. The cylinder is eflicient, economical, simple in construction and operation, and long lasting. 1

It will be apparent that the construction and application of the expansible cylinder may be changed and modified within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope. of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An expansi'ble cylinder adapted for uniform radial expansion along its peripheral cylindrical surface and comprising:

a precision, solid, cylindrical metal body;

a pair of aligned axial shafts integral with said body at opposed ends thereof for rotatably mounting said body in a supporting structure;

The printing cyla thin, cylindrical, tubular, essentially rigid, radially expansible elastic steel shell coaxial with and coextensive with said body and contiguous with the peripheral cylindrical surface thereof;

said shell being disposed about said body in intimate surface contact therewith to provide an interference fit between said body and said shell;

fluid-impervious annular welds adjacent opposed ends of said body and comprising sealing means between said body and said shell to provide high mechanical strength, fluid-tight, longitudinally spaced junctions therebetween;

fluid flow means in communication with the inner surface of said shell, said fluid flow means comprising channels on the peripheral surface of said body and extending along said peripheral surface between said longitudinally spaced junctions;

conduit means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to said channels to force saidfluid between said body and said shell to provide a continuous annular fluid film of uniform transverse thickness between adjacent cylindrical surfaces of said body and said shell, said film extending laterally between limits defined by said spaced fluid-tight junctions;

said elastic shell being responsive to fluid pressure applied between said body and said shell to expand radially, uniformly along the length thereof between said limits in response to fluid pressure exerted between said body and said shell, said elastic shell being responsive to release of fluid pressure from between said body and said shell to contract radially to become contiguous with said body.

2. An expansible cylinder as defined in claim 1 and wherein said fluid flow means comprise intersecting channels extending circumferentially and longitudinally on said peripheral surface of said body.

3. An expansible cylinder adapted for uniform radial expansion along its peripheral cylindrical surface and comprising:

a precision, solid, cylindrical metal body;

a pair of aligned axial shafts integral with said body at opposed ends thereof for rotatably mounting said body in a supporting structure;

a thin, cylindrical, tubular, essentially rigid, radially expansible elastic steel shell coaxial with and coextensive with said body and contiguous with the peripheral cylindrical surface thereof;

said shell being disposed about said body in intimate surface contact therewith to provide an interference fit between said body and said shell;

fluid impervious annular welds adjacent opposed ends of said body and comprising sealing means between said body and said shell to provide high mechanical strength, fluid-tight longitudinally spaced junctions therebetween;

fluid flow means comprising intersecting channels extending circumferentially and longitudinally on said peripheral surface of said body, said channels communicating with the inner surface of said shell between said junctions;

conduit means in said body communicating with said channels;

inlet means on said body communicating with said conduit means for supplying fluid under pressure to said channels to expand said shell by fluid pressure acting on its said inner surface;

and check valve means associated with said inlet means for maintaining said fluid pressure on said inner surface.

4. An expansible cylinder adapted for uniform radial expansion along its peripheral cylindrical surface and comprising:

a precision, solid, cylindrical metal body;

a pair of aligned axial shafts integral with said body at opposed ends thereof for rotatably mounting said body in a supporting structure;

a thin cylindrical, tubular, essentially rigid, radially expansible elastic steel shell coaxial with and coextensive with said body and contiguouswitn the peripheral cylindrical surface thereof;

said shell being disposed about said body in intimate surface contact therewith to provide an interference fit between said body and said shell;

fluid-impervious annular welds adjacent opposed ends of said body and comprising sealing means between said body and said shell to provide high mechanical strength, fluid-tight, longitudinally spaced junctions therebetween;

fluid flow means providing a plurality of spaced equidistant longitudinal channels on said peripheral sur face of said body, means providing a plurality of spaced equidistant circumferential channels on said peripheral surface of said body and intersecting said a longitudinal channels, said longitudinal and circumferential channels communicating with the inner surface of said shell between said junctions; bore means providing a fluid passage in said body'communicating with said channels; and means providing an inlet opening in said body communicating with said passage for supplying fluid under pressure to said channels to expand said shell radially by fluid pressure acting on its said inner surface.

5. An expansible cylinder as defined in claim 4 and including a check valve in said inlet opening for maintaining said fluid pressure on said shell inner surface.

'6. An expansible cylinder adapted for uniform radial expansion along its peripheral cylindrical surface and comprising:

a precision, solid, cylindrical metal body;

a pair of aligned axial shafts integral with said body at opposed ends thereof for rotatably mounting said body in supporting structure;

a thin cylindrical, tubular, essentially'rigid, radially expansible elastic steel shell coaxial with and coextensive with said body and contiguous with the peripheral cylindrical surface thereof;

said shell being disposed about said body in intimate surface contact therewith to provide an interference fit between said body and said shell;

fluid-impervious annular welds adjacent opposed ends of said body and comprising sealing means between said body and said shell to provide high mechanical strength, fluid-tight longitudinally spaced junctions therebetween;

said peripheral surface of said body being circumferentially and longitudinally grooved to provide channels communicating with the inner surface of said shell between said junctions, said body being internally bored to provide a fluid passage communicating with said channels; and inlet means on said body communicating with said passage for supplying fluid under pressure to said channels to expand said shell radially by fluid pressure acting on its said inner surface. a

7. An expansible cylinder as defined in claim 6 and including a check valve fitting associated with said inlet means for maintaining said fluid pressure on said shell inner surface.

8. An expansible cylinder asdefined in claim 6 wherein the outer surface of said shell is knurled.

9. A printing cylinder for rotary type presses which comprises: an expansible base cylinder adapted for uniform elastic radial expansion along its peripheral surface, and a tubular annular sleeve-type printing plate in stressed contact with the peripheral surface of said base cylinder and retained firmly thereon by forces resulting from expansion of said base cylinder radially against said annular printing plate disposed therearound,

said base cylinder comprising: a precision, solid, cylindrical metal body; a'pair of aligned axial shafts integral with said body at opposed ends thereof for rotatably mounting said fluid-impervious annular welds adjacent opposed ends f of said body and comprising sealing means between said body and said shell to provide high mechanical strength, fluid-tight, longitudinally spaced junctions therebetween;

fluid flow means in communication with the inner surface of said shell, said fluid flowrneanscomprising channels on the peripheral surface of said body and said elastic shell being responsive tofluid pressure ap plied between said body and said shell to expand radially, uniformly along the length thereof between said limits in response to fluid pressure exerted between said body and said shell, said elastic shell be ing responsive to release of fluid pressure from between said body and said shell to contract radially to become contiguous with said body.

10. A printing cylinder as defined in claim 9 and further comprising inlet means-on said base cylinder com-M municating with said conduit means, and check valve means associated with said inlet means for maintaining said fluid pressure between said body and said shell.

extending along said; peripheral surface between said 11. An expansible cylinder adapted for uniform radial I expansion along its peripheral cylindrical surface and comprising: g a precision, solid, cylindrical metal body;

a pair of aligned axial shafts integral with said body.

at opposed ends thereof for rotatably mounting said body in a supporting structure;

a thin, cylindrical, tubular, essentially rigid, radially expansible elastic steel shell coaxial with and c0- extensive with said body and 'contiguouswvith the peripheral cylindrical surface thereof;

said shell being disposed about said body in intimate surface contact therewith to provide an interference fit between said body and said shell;

fluid-impervious annular Welds adjacent opposed ends of said body and comprising'sealing means between said body and said shell to provide high mechanical strength, fluid-tight longitudinally: spaced junctions therebetween; fluid flow means in communication with the inner surface of said shell, said fluid flow means comprising channels on the peripheral surface of said body and extending along said peripheral surface between said longitudinally spaced junctions;

conduit means for supplying hydraulic fluid underpres- A limited to a maximum value of about'0.003 inch to provide a maximum increase of about 0.006 inch in internal diameter of said expansible,'elastic, cylindrical shell; said elasticshell being responsive to fluid pressure applied between said body and said shell to expand radially, uniformly along the length thereof between said Welds in response to fluid pressure between said body and said shell; and said elastic shell being responsive to release of fluid pressure from between said body and said shell to contract radially to become contiguous with said body. 12; 'A printing cylinder for rotary type presses which comprises an expansible base cylinder adapted for uniform elastic radial expansion along its peripheral surface,

and a tubular annular sleeve-type printing plate in stressed contact with the peripheral surface of said base cylinder and retained firmlythereon by forces resulting from ex-.

pension of said base cylinder radially against said annular printing plate disposed therearound;

said base cylinder comprising:

a precision, solid, cylindrical metal body;

a pair of aligned axial shafts integral with said body at opposed ends thereof for rotatably mounting said body in a supporting structure;

a thin cylindrical, tubular, essentially rigid, radially expansible elastic steel shell coaxial with and coextensive with said body andcontiguous, with the peripheral cylindrical surface thereof;

said shell being disposed about said body in intimate surface contact therewith to provide an interference fit between said body and said shell;

fluid impervious annular weldsadjacent opposed ends of said body and comprising sealing means between said body and said shell to provide lugh mechanical strength, fluid-tight longitudinally spaced junctions therebetween;

fluid flow means in communication with the inner surface of said shell, said fluid flow means comprising channels on the peripheral surface of said body and extending along said peripheral surface between said longitudinally spaced junctions;

A conduit means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to said channelsto force said fluid between said body and said shell-to provide a continuous annular fluid film of uniform transverse thickness between adiacent cylindrical surfaces of said body and said shell, said film extending laterally between limits defined by said spaced fluid-tight junctions;

said annular fluid film having a transverse thickness limited to a maximum'value of about 0.003 inch to provide a maximum increase of about 0.006 inch in internal diameter of said expansible, elastic, cylindrical shell;

said elastic shell being responsive to fluid pressure applied between' said body and said shell to expand radially, uniformly along the length thereof between saidwelds in response to fluid pressure between said body and said shell; said elastic shell being responsive to release of fluid pressure from between said body and said shell to contract radially to become contiguous with said body. A

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,060,082 11/36 Johnson etal. 10l378 2,103,812 12/37 Ericksson 101--152 2,987,994 6/61 Allison 10l375 3,006,277 10/ 61 Willard l01-378 \VILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner. RQBERT A. LEIGHEY, ROBERT E. PULFRE Y,

DAVID KLEiN, Exalizinerss 

1. AN EXPANSIBLE CYLINDER ADAPTED FOR UNIFORM RADIAL EXPANSION ALONG ITS PERIPHERAL CYLINDRICAL SURFACE AND COMPRISING: A PRECISION, SOLID, CYLINDRICAL METAL BODY; A PRIR OF ALIGNED AXIAL SHAFTS INTEGRAL WITH SAID BODY AT OPPOSED ENDS THERE OF FOR ROTATABLY MOUNTING SAID BODY IN A SUPPORTING STRUCTURE; A THIN, CYLINDRICAL, TUBULAR, ESSENTIALLY RIGID, RADIALLY EXPANSIBLE ELASTIC STEEL SHELL COAXIAL WITH AND COEXTENSIVE WITH SAID BODY AND CONTIGUOUS WITH THE PERIPHERAL CYLINDRICAL SURFACE THEREOF; SAID SHELL BEING DISPOSED ABOUT SAID BODY IN INTIMATE SURFACE CONTACT THEREWITH TO PROVIDE AN INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN SAID BODY AND SAID SHELL; FLUID-IMPERVIOUS ANNULAR WELDS ADJACENT OPPOSED ENS OF SAID BODY AND COMPRISING SEALING MEANS BETWEEN SAID BODY AND SAID SHELL TO PROVIDE HIGH MECHANICAL STRENGTH, FLUID-TIGHT, LONGITUDINALLY SPACED JUNCTIONS THEREBETWEEN; FLUID FLOW MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID SHELL, SAID FLUID FLOW MEANS COMPRISING CHANNELS ON THE PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF SAID BODY AND EXTENDING ALONG SAID PERIPHERAL SURFACE BETWEEN SAID LONGITUDINALLY SPACED JUNCTIONS; CONDUIT MEANS FOR SUPPLYING HYDRAULIC FLUID UNDER PRESSURE TO SAID CHANNELS TO FORCE SAID FLUID BETWEEN SAID BODY AND SAID SHELL TO PROVIDE A CONTINUOUS ANNULAR FLUID FILM OF UNIFORM TRANSVERSE THICKNESS BETWEEN ADJACENT CYLINDRICAL SURFACES OF SAID BODY AND SAID SHELL, BEING RESPONSIVE TO FLUID PRESSURE LIMITS DEFINED BY SAID SPACED FLUID-TIGHT JUNCTIONS; SAID ELASTIC SHELL BEING RESPONSIVE TO FLUID PRESSURE APPLIED BETWEEN SAID BODY AND SAID SHELL TO EXPAND RADIALLY, UNIFORMLY ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF BETWEEN SAID LIMITS IN RESPONSE TO FLUID PRESSURE EXERTED BETWEEN SAID BODY AND SAID SHELL, SAID ELASTIC SHELL BEING RESPONSIVE TO RELEASE OF FLUID PRESSURE FROM BETWEEN SAID BODY AND SAID SHELL TO CONTRACT RADIALLY TO BECOME CONTIGUOUS WITH SAID BODY. 